<b>Bruce Arians, Arizona: A</b>
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His team's NFC championship-game flop notwithstanding, Arians and GM Steve Keim have quickly made the Cardinals relevant. Arians is a bold play-caller who thinks outside the box and that has factored greatly into Arizona's rise to NFC power. less

<b>Dan Quinn, Falcons: B-</b>
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He would've been coach of the year if the award was voted on in Week 6 after the Falcons' 5-0 start. But they then swooned before finishing 8-8. Quinn still has some work to do in Atlanta, but his team showed more toughness than previous Falcons squads who folded. less

<b>Dan Quinn, Falcons: B-</b>
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He would've been coach of the year if the award was voted on in Week 6 after the Falcons' 5-0 start. But they then swooned before finishing 8-8. Quinn still has some work ... more

Photo: Daniel Shirey / Getty Images

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<b>John Harbaugh, Baltimore: B-</b>
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He earned a reputation as one of the league's top coaches with a playoff berth and at least one postseason win in six of his first seven seasons. The Ravens (5-11) were ravaged by injuries this season, forcing them to start the likes of Matt Schaub, Jimmy Clausen and Ryan Mallett at QB. Despite those issues, the Ravens were competitive in nearly every game, losing seven games by six points or fewer. A lot of the credit for that goes to Harbaugh. less

<b>John Harbaugh, Baltimore: B-</b>
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He earned a reputation as one of the league's top coaches with a playoff berth and at least one postseason win in six of his first seven seasons. The Ravens (5-11) ... more

Photo: Matt Hazlett / Associated Press

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<b>Rex Ryan, Bills: C</b>
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Ryan brought his unique blend of hubris and bluster to Western New York. He talked a big game, but couldn't deliver, as the Bills were a pedestrian 8-8 and extended their playoff drought to 16 seasons, the longest in North American pro sports. Ryan's seat will be hot next season as owner Terry Pegula won't stand for another postseason miss. less

<b>Rex Ryan, Bills: C</b>
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Ryan brought his unique blend of hubris and bluster to Western New York. He talked a big game, but couldn't deliver, as the Bills were a pedestrian 8-8 and extended their ... more

Photo: David Richard / Associated Press

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<b>Ron Rivera, Carolina: A</b>
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He pushed all the right buttons in guiding the Panthers to a 15-1 record and Super Bowl appearance. He managed to overcome the loss of top receiver Kelvin Benjamin to a season-ending injury in training camp and guided a squad that excelled on both sides of the ball. If he's not Coach of the Year, something is very wrong. less

<b>Ron Rivera, Carolina: A</b>
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He pushed all the right buttons in guiding the Panthers to a 15-1 record and Super Bowl appearance. He managed to overcome the loss of top receiver Kelvin Benjamin to a ... more

Photo: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

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<b>John Fox, Chicago: C</b>
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Fox is a solid coach with a good NFL background, but his work with the Bears this season didn't really distinguish itself. It's hard to expect him to wring much out of guys like Jay Cutler and Matt Forte who are getting long in the tooth. less

<b>John Fox, Chicago: C</b>
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Fox is a solid coach with a good NFL background, but his work with the Bears this season didn't really distinguish itself. It's hard to expect him to wring much out of guys ... more

Photo: Mike McGinnis / Getty Images

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<b>Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati: B-</b>
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Oops, he did it again: Another solid regular season followed by a playoff flop. Lewis' seventh consecutive first-round exit may have been the toughest to stomach, with what seemed to be a certain win given away thanks to some of the character-risk players he's championed committing bonehead acts. Lewis will have to get Cincinnati's house in order before the Bengals can take the next step (or in their case, the first). less

<b>Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati: B-</b>
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Oops, he did it again: Another solid regular season followed by a playoff flop. Lewis' seventh consecutive first-round exit may have been the toughest to stomach, ... more

Photo: Gary Landers / Associated Press

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<b>Mike Pettine, Cleveland: F</b>
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He met the usual fate of a Browns coach under owner Jimmy Haslam: Fired before he reached his third season. Pettine didn't help his cause with some curious decision-making (an inexplicable two-point conversion try arguably cost him a win over Denver) and bad clock management. Of course, he was also saddled with Josh McCown, Johnny Manziel and Austin Davis at QB. Good luck trying to make something out of that. less

<b>Mike Pettine, Cleveland: F</b>
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He met the usual fate of a Browns coach under owner Jimmy Haslam: Fired before he reached his third season. Pettine didn't help his cause with some curious ... more

Photo: Ron Schwane / Associated Press

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<b>Jason Garrett, Dallas: C-</b>
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We'll cut him some slack given he was without star QB Tony Romo for the majority of the season. Owner/GM Jerry Jones' questionable roster-building didn't do his coach any favors, with distractions like Greg Hardy and a merry-go-round of bad backup QBs. less

<b>Jason Garrett, Dallas: C-</b>
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We'll cut him some slack given he was without star QB Tony Romo for the majority of the season. Owner/GM Jerry Jones' questionable roster-building didn't do his coach ... more

Photo: Bill Wippert / Associated Press

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<b>Gary Kubiak, Denver: A</b>
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The old Texans boss returned to his Denver haunts operating under a Super Bowl or bust mentality espoused by GM John Elway and owner Pat Bowlen. Kubiak met the challenge, landing the Broncos in the Super Bowl. Hiring defensive coordinator Wade Phillips - even if he reportedly wasn't the first choice - was a great move. Kubiak's bold gamble to go back to Peyton Manning during the second half of the regular-season finale paid off with the No. 1 seed that played a big role in helping the franchise reach its eighth Super Bowl. less

<b>Gary Kubiak, Denver: A</b>
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The old Texans boss returned to his Denver haunts operating under a Super Bowl or bust mentality espoused by GM John Elway and owner Pat Bowlen. Kubiak met the challenge, ... more

Photo: Justin Edmonds / Getty Images

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<b>Jim Caldwell, Detroit: D</b>
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The Lions regressed badly a year after making the playoffs and Caldwell is lucky he wasn't cashiered with the rest of the front office. He'll be under the microscope in year three in the Motor City. less

<b>Jim Caldwell, Detroit: D</b>
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The Lions regressed badly a year after making the playoffs and Caldwell is lucky he wasn't cashiered with the rest of the front office. He'll be under the microscope in ... more

Photo: Rick Osentoski / Associated Press

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<b>Mike McCarthy, Green Bay: C</b>
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Remember when the Packers started 6-0? Seems like fool's good now. McCarthy took on more of a CEO role and delegated play-calling to assistant Tom Clements before reclaiming those duties late in the season after Clements didn't seem cut out for the task. Losing a Week 17 showdown at home to Minnesota for the NFC North crown epitomized the Packers' underwhelming season. less

<b>Mike McCarthy, Green Bay: C</b>
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Remember when the Packers started 6-0? Seems like fool's good now. McCarthy took on more of a CEO role and delegated play-calling to assistant Tom Clements before ... more

Photo: Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press

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<b>Bill O'Brien, Houston: C</b>
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Yes, he guided his team to a division title with four different QBs starting games. But the AFC South was softer than a month-old grape and that QB dysfunction was partly O'Brien's creation, as he vacillated between the underwhelming duo of Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett before settling on the former. Conversely, he remained stubbornly loyal to Hoyer in the playoffs despite a disastrous outing that would've had most coaches pulling the QB. And leaving star running Arian Foster in during garbage time of a blowout loss in Miami provide disastrous when the latter suffered a season-ending injury. O'Brien's mandate for next season is clear: Find a QB and settle on one. And the schedule will be tougher, so he'll have to improve on his 2-9 record against playoff teams since he arrived in Houston. less

<b>Bill O'Brien, Houston: C</b>
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Yes, he guided his team to a division title with four different QBs starting games. But the AFC South was softer than a month-old grape and that QB dysfunction was partly ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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<b>Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis: D-</b>
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Considering the Super Bowl expectations the Colts had, Pagano's lucky he didn't get an F. But it's hard to overcome losing QB Andrew Luck for much of the season and relying on the battered 40-year-old Matt Hasselbeck. If anything summed up Pagano's season, it was that inexplicable fake punt against the Patriots that may go down as one of the dumbest plays in league history. less

<b>Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis: D-</b>
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Considering the Super Bowl expectations the Colts had, Pagano's lucky he didn't get an F. But it's hard to overcome losing QB Andrew Luck for much of the season and ... more

Photo: Phelan M. Ebenhack / AP

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<b>Gus Bradley, Jacksonville: C-</b>
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Owner Shad Khan apparently likes Bradley, as evidenced by the recent one-year extension the latter got. But the Jaguars are still closer to the cellar than the playoffs. Bradley and QB Blake Bortles will have to make a leap in year four or his seat will warm considerably. less

<b>Gus Bradley, Jacksonville: C-</b>
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Owner Shad Khan apparently likes Bradley, as evidenced by the recent one-year extension the latter got. But the Jaguars are still closer to the cellar than the ... more

Photo: Joe Robbins / Getty Images

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<b>Andy Reid, Kansas City: B+</b>
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He didn't look so great after a 1-5 start, but the Chiefs turned it around, winning 10 straight to finish the regular season despite losing star RB Jamaal Charles for the year. They then skunked the Texans in the playoffs before losing to the Patriots, with Reid's questionable clock managment coming under intense scrutiny. less

<b>Andy Reid, Kansas City: B+</b>
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He didn't look so great after a 1-5 start, but the Chiefs turned it around, winning 10 straight to finish the regular season despite losing star RB Jamaal Charles for ... more

Photo: Steven Senne / Associated Press

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<b>Jeff Fisher, Los Angeles (formerly St. Louis): D</b>
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His Rams teams have been the epitome of mediocrity, and he didn't disappoint in 2015, with another squad that struggled mightily on offense with the second-fewest points in the NFC. He's missed the playoffs in each of his four seasons but somehow kept his job. That might change if he flops after the move back to Los Angeles. less

<b>Jeff Fisher, Los Angeles (formerly St. Louis): D</b>
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His Rams teams have been the epitome of mediocrity, and he didn't disappoint in 2015, with another squad that struggled mightily on offense with ... more

Photo: Patrick Semansky / Associated Press

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<b>Dan Campbell/Joe Philbin, Miami: D-</b>
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After spending big in free agency, the Dolphins were among the NFL's biggest disappointments, leading to Philbin being turfed after four games. Campbell (pictured) fired the team up for blowout wins over the Titans and Texans before the Dolphins regressed again and finished 6-10. less

<b>Dan Campbell/Joe Philbin, Miami: D-</b>
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After spending big in free agency, the Dolphins were among the NFL's biggest disappointments, leading to Philbin being turfed after four games. Campbell ... more

Photo: Wesley Hitt / Getty Images

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<b>Mike Zimmer, Minnesota: B+</b>
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He led the Vikings to an improbable NFC North title and only a botched 27-yard field goal prevented a likely playoff win. ZImmer has some good pieces in place with RB Adrian Peterson and QB Teddy Bridgewater, but will need to diversify offensively for the Vikings to take the next step. less

<b>Mike Zimmer, Minnesota: B+</b>
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He led the Vikings to an improbable NFC North title and only a botched 27-yard field goal prevented a likely playoff win. ZImmer has some good pieces in place with RB ... more

Photo: Matt Ludtke / Associated Press

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<b>Bill Belichick, New England: A</b>
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The bar is set so high for Belichick given his track record, but he had to overcome adversity this year, playing without key cogs like Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola for stretches while using myriad offensive line combinations. But some questionable coaching decisions (kicking off to start overtime in a loss to the Jets, eschewing field goals in a tight loss at Denver in the AFC Championship Game) have some second-guessing the hooded one. less

<b>Bill Belichick, New England: A</b>
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The bar is set so high for Belichick given his track record, but he had to overcome adversity this year, playing without key cogs like Rob Gronkowski, Julian ... more

Photo: Doug Pensinger / Getty Images

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<b>Sean Payton, New Orleans: C-</b>
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He didn't appear long for New Orleans, but Payton will be staying in the Big Easy. His biggest challenge will be revamping a defense that has been historically bad in recent years. That will go a long way to getting New Orleans back in the playoffs for the first time since 2013. less

<b>Sean Payton, New Orleans: C-</b>
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He didn't appear long for New Orleans, but Payton will be staying in the Big Easy. His biggest challenge will be revamping a defense that has been historically bad in ... more

Photo: Max Becherer / Associated Press

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<b>Tom Coughlin, New York Giants: F</b>
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Yes, he led Big Blue to a pair of Super Bowl wins, but Coughlin resigned after missing the playoffs four straight seasons. This year's miss may have been the worst, with several winnable games blown in the final minutes amid bad clock management and other issues. A couple more wins would've made a huge difference in a down year for the NFC East. less

<b>Tom Coughlin, New York Giants: F</b>
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Yes, he led Big Blue to a pair of Super Bowl wins, but Coughlin resigned after missing the playoffs four straight seasons. This year's miss may have been the ... more

Photo: Frank Franklin II / Associated Press

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<b>Todd Bowles, New York Jets: B+</b>
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Bowles provided a steadying hand after the dysfunctional Rex Ryan era. He got a career year out of QB Ryan FItzpatrick (before the latter's meltdown in the win-or-go-home Week 17 finale at Buffalo) and the Jets for once have some optimism heading into an offseason. less

<b>Todd Bowles, New York Jets: B+</b>
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Bowles provided a steadying hand after the dysfunctional Rex Ryan era. He got a career year out of QB Ryan FItzpatrick (before the latter's meltdown in the ... more

Photo: Julio Cortez / Associated Press

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<b>Jack Del Rio, Oakland: C</b>
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The Raiders missed the playoffs for the 13th straight season, but showed signs of life with young talent such as QB Derek Carr, WR Amari Cooper and LB Khalil Mack. Del Rio's challenge is to build around that talented core and change a culture of losing while trying to tune out the latest relocation rumblings surrounding the franchise. less

<b>Jack Del Rio, Oakland: C</b>
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The Raiders missed the playoffs for the 13th straight season, but showed signs of life with young talent such as QB Derek Carr, WR Amari Cooper and LB Khalil Mack. Del ... more

Photo: Jeff Chiu / Associated Press

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<b>Chip Kelly, Philadelphia: F</b>
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For an alleged offensive genius, his Eagles looked inept on that side of the ball. Free-agent RB DeMarco Murray was a terrible fit in Kelly's system while Sam Bradford didn't appear to be the answer at QB. The Eagles tired of Kelly's ways to the point where he was fired with one game to go in the season. Now he has to rehabilitate his career in San Francisco. less

<b>Chip Kelly, Philadelphia: F</b>
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For an alleged offensive genius, his Eagles looked inept on that side of the ball. Free-agent RB DeMarco Murray was a terrible fit in Kelly's system while Sam Bradford ... more

Photo: Bob Leverone / Associated Press

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<b>Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh: B</b>
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He once again took the Steelers to the playoffs while dealing with the absence of QB Ben Roethlisberger for part of the season with an injury. Some Steelers fans have called for Tomlin's head at times, but the Rooney family is among the league's most patient owners and provides their coaches stability to operate. less

<b>Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh: B</b>
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He once again took the Steelers to the playoffs while dealing with the absence of QB Ben Roethlisberger for part of the season with an injury. Some Steelers fans have ... more

Photo: Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press

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<b>Mike McCoy, San Diego: C-</b>
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His team has regressed the past two seasons after making the playoffs in McCoy's first year. He survived after this season, but his staff was shaken up. That means McCoy should be on a hot seat in 2016 as the team's long-term future in San Diego remains up in the air. less

<b>Mike McCoy, San Diego: C-</b>
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His team has regressed the past two seasons after making the playoffs in McCoy's first year. He survived after this season, but his staff was shaken up. That means McCoy ... more

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images

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<b>Jim Tomsula, San Francisco: F</b>
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NFL analyst Mark Schlereth jokes that Tomsula was working in a butcher shop when he was hired by the 49ers. He's joking, but Tomsula definitely seemed overmatched as an NFL head coach and was summarily fired after the season ended. The 49ers were terrible for a lot of reasons, and Tomsula's coaching didn't help matters. less

<b>Jim Tomsula, San Francisco: F</b>
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NFL analyst Mark Schlereth jokes that Tomsula was working in a butcher shop when he was hired by the 49ers. He's joking, but Tomsula definitely seemed overmatched as ... more

Photo: Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images

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<b>Pete Carroll, Seattle: B</b>
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A horrible first half in the divisional round at Carolina ensured the Seahawks wouldn't go to their third straight Super Bowl, but Carroll did another good job leading the team despite injuries to RB Marshawn Lynch and TE Jimmy Graham. Now, if he could only erase his disastrous decision to pass on the goal line at the end of last year's Super Bowl loss to the Patriots. less

<b>Pete Carroll, Seattle: B</b>
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A horrible first half in the divisional round at Carolina ensured the Seahawks wouldn't go to their third straight Super Bowl, but Carroll did another good job leading ... more

Photo: Grant Halverson / Getty Images

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<b>Lovie Smith, Tampa Bay: C</b>
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He seemed to do a decent job, as the Bucs improved by four wins while rookie QB Jameis WInston showed promise. Instead, Smith was shown the door after the season in a surprising move. less

<b>Lovie Smith, Tampa Bay: C</b>
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He seemed to do a decent job, as the Bucs improved by four wins while rookie QB Jameis WInston showed promise. Instead, Smith was shown the door after the season in a ... more

Photo: Bob Leverone / Associated Press

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<b>Ken Whisenhunt/Mike Mularkey, Tennessee: F</b>
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Once again, the Titans were horrible. Whisenhunt was sent packing after a 1-6 start. Interim coach Mike Mularkey then finished 2-7 and was inexplicably retained despite his 18-39 career record and failed stints in Buffalo and Jacksonville. Tennessee must be angling to pick first again in the 2017 draft. less

<b>Ken Whisenhunt/Mike Mularkey, Tennessee: F</b>
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Once again, the Titans were horrible. Whisenhunt was sent packing after a 1-6 start. Interim coach Mike Mularkey then finished 2-7 and was inexplicably ... more

Photo: AJ Mast / Associated Press

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<b>Jay Gruden, Washington: B-</b>
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The less famous of the coaching Grudens led his team to the NFC East title, an accomplishment that didn't really say much given how putrid the division was. Washington was then booted from the playoffs after just one game. But it did manage to get a decent year out of QB Kirk Cousins, who seemed to gain Gruden's trust more than the exiled Robert Griffin III ever did. less

<b>Jay Gruden, Washington: B-</b>
<br>
The less famous of the coaching Grudens led his team to the NFC East title, an accomplishment that didn't really say much given how putrid the division was. Washington ... more

However, O’Brien wasn’t sure that Nassib was NFL material and urged him to concentrate on proving he was capable of playing for Penn State.

Nassib later earned a scholarship and had a breakthrough senior season with a school-record 15 1/2 sacks and 19 1/2 tackles for losses and was named the Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Year. O’Brien gladly admitted in December that he was wrong in his early assessment of the 6-7, 273-pound pass rusher’s NFL potential.

“I told him what I wanted to achieve and used it as motivation to get better every single day, I never disliked him for it,” said Nassib, who met with O’Brien and the Texans this week at the Senior Bowl all-star game.

“He was just being honest with me. I appreciate honesty. Any football player will tell you they just want honesty and want to get better. I took it and ran with it.”

I have a great relationship with him. He’s a great guy and a better coach. I had a good meeting with the Texans. It went well.”

Nassib didn’t start until his senior year of college.

The younger brother of New York Giants quarterback Ryan Nassib, Carl was 6-6, 215 pounds in high school and didn’t garner scholarship offers.

He gained 60 pounds at Penn State and had six forced fumbles this past season. He was a finalist for the Nagurski Award for the nation’s top defender. Nassib was also a two-time Academic All-Big Ten Conference selection with a 3.5 grade point average and a degree in biology.

“I’m really excited,” Nassib said. “This is a dream come true. I don’t care where they put me. I’ll be out there running with my hair on fire.”